EVENTS > TURN OF THE CENTURY > Head Tax

What? • forced every Chinese immigrant to pay for the right to enter Canada • went from $50 in per person in 1885 to $500 per person in 1903 Historical Significance • decreased the number of Chinese immigrants in that time period • •

Immigration Branch certificate for Mah Chew Wah, who paid $500 for the Chinese head tax, June 1921. Image Courtesy of CIC Canada

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EVENTS > TURN OF THE CENTURY > Head Tax > REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is head tax?
   
   1. extra tax on properties
   2. tax immigrants have to pay
   3. federal tax
   4. tax on trades





2. In 1885, how much was the tax per person?
   
   1. $40
   2. $50
   3. $60
   4. $70




3. Why did Chinese immigrants come to Canada?
   
   1. To avoid turmoil, poverty, and China
   2. To have fun
   3. Because they were bored
   4. For the natural resources




4. Why was the head tax implied?
   
   1. The British were getting bored
   2. The Chinese asked for the head tax
   3. To lower the immigrant flow and increase wealth
   4. Discrimination




5. What was given to the immigrants?
   
   1. A death threat
   2. A head tax certificate
   3. A head tax award medal
   4. A head tax ribbon






PAGE DEVELOPED BY: Amanda Chan & Su-Lin Khaw, Mr.Melnyk's 2002 Class